President George H.W. Bush: A life of public service

CaptionGeorge H.W. Bush

Bob Daemmrich, Reuters

Former President George H.W. Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush attend a program Nov. 11, 2014, to launch their son's new book, "41: A Portrait of My Father," at the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas.

Former President George H.W. Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush attend a program Nov. 11, 2014, to launch their son's new book, "41: A Portrait of My Father," at the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas. (Bob Daemmrich, Reuters)

George W. Bush talks with his former chief of staff Andrew Card about Bush's new book "41: A Portrait of My Father" at the George Bush Presidential Library Center in College Station, Texas, on Nov. 11, 2014.

George W. Bush talks with his former chief of staff Andrew Card about Bush's new book "41: A Portrait of My Father" at the George Bush Presidential Library Center in College Station, Texas, on Nov. 11, 2014. (Larry W. Smith/EPA)

George H.W. Bush, the 41st president and a Republican, served one term in the White House. The father of former President George W. Bush, he also served as a congressman, as ambassador to the United Nations, as CIA director and as vice president.